USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack attributes the announcement by Mexico that the nation will lift its ban on poultry from 14 states “a result of USDA’s close communications with Mexico to reduce trade restrictions.” The trade restrictions were related to highly pathogenic avian influenza. Mexico is continuing to ban the import of poultry from Indiana, according to the Hagstrom Report. The most recent avian influenza outbreak in the U.S. occurred in Indiana earlier this year. In 2015, despite the HPAI outbreak, U.S. poultry product exports reached $4.6 billion. Vilsack says Mexico has been the largest market for U.S. poultry products since 2010. In 2015, U.S. exports of poultry and poultry products to Mexico reached $1.2 billion, accounting for 25 percent of total U.S. shipments.

The White House Office of Management and Budget is reviewing the Renewable Fuels Standard volume requirements issued by the Environmental Protection Agency last November. DTN Reports the move is the last step in the review process, which can take up to 90 days, but typically takes about 30 days to complete. Last fall, EPA issued RFS volume requirements that set corn-based ethanol volumes below the statutory 15 billion gallons for 2017 and 2018. For years, EPA has had to re-adjust the RFS volumes for cellulosic ethanol. The original 2007 statute called for 1.75 billion gallons in 2014, three billion gallons in 2015, and 4.25 billion gallons in 2016. The final rule set the 2014 biodiesel volume at 1.63 billion gallons, the actual volume blended. That number rises to 1.73 billion for 2015, 1.9 billion gallons in 2016 and two billion gallons in 2017.

The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday passed an amendment barring the Grain Inspection and Stockyards Protection Administration, or GIPSA, rule on poultry. The “rider” attached to the USDA fiscal 2017 funding bill would prevent USDA from implementing the rule. The 2008 farm bill directed GIPSA, which monitors the meat industry for fraudulent, deceptive and anticompetitive practices, to develop certain rules for poultry contracts, according to Politico. The amendment passed Tuesday would bar USDA from writing rules that address unjust, discriminatory practices, such as retaliation against farmers who speak out about unfair practices, according to the National Farmers Union, which called the move “disheartening.” The National Chicken Council thanked the committee for its action, noting that revisiting the rule shows “USDA seems to be seeking a solution in search of a problem.” The Council says the current contracting system has worked well for more than 60 years and has helped promote improvements in live chicken performance that have benefited chicken farmers, companies farmers produce for and consumers.

A trade delegation from Cuba is visiting the United States this week to see the advantages of purchasing U.S. coarse grains and co-products. The delegation includes grain importers and officials from Cuba, which has purchased corn from the U.S. since the early 2000’s. Recent sales to Cuba and other parts of the region have been stymied by competition from other sources and the trade embargo. If Cuba had been able to purchase all its corn from the United States, it would be the tenth largest overseas market for the product. The Grains Council is continuing how to assess Cuba’s needs as its economy shifts and restrictions begin to fall. The goal of the face-to-face interactions is to highlight the U.S. as a reliable long-term supplier Cuba needs, and establish a strong foundation for future dealings. The Obama Administration announced in 2014 they would seek to dismantle the 50-year old embargo with Cuba. Since then, the U.S. Grains Council has been studying the Cuba market and seeking ways to mitigate barriers to grain sales there.

The April 17th meeting of the major oil-producing countries failed to produce agreement on freezing production outputs as Saudi Arabia said any agreement had to include Iran. Pro Farmer’s First Thing Today said Iran announced Saturday it would not attend the meeting. Global oil prices declined as word of the impasse hit the markets, though values did bounce back somewhat. The situation is putting a damper on global equity markets early in the week. Going into the meeting, there was some doubt as to how much an agreement would actually reduce prices. Some are noting oil production has dropped because of the lower prices. The United States and other countries have already begun to temper their output.

Like any employer, the U.S. poultry industry is subject to inspection by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. The industry says it’s committed to the safety and well being of its workforce. The 2014 Injury and Illness Report said overall injury and illness rates have dropped 81 percent in the last 20 years. The U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, National Chicken Council, and National Turkey Federation are concerned about OSHA’s attempts to increase its authority. OSHA wants to conduct wall-to-wall inspections whenever the agency receives notice of an accident or employee complaint. The poultry organizations say there are legal limits on how and when OSHA may inspect, and they want OSHA to inspect facilities within the confines of the law. OSHA recently announced it would use any accident, complaint, or referral at every poultry facility to conduct wall-to-wall inspections. The poultry industry said OSHA’s plan oversteps the Fourth Amendment ban on unreasonable search and seizure.

Politico reports there may be a possibility of action on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) as early as this summer in the House Ways and Means Committee. Committee Chair Kevin Brady said action would only happen if the Obama Administration resolves concerns that Republicans and some Democrats have on the trade deal. A handful of issues affecting pharmaceuticals, financial services, tobacco, and a few other segments are blocking action on the agreement. Brady said it’s incumbent on the US Trade Representative’s Office to come up with solutions for those concerns in order to build support for the agreement. Brady said there’s been slow progress on resolving these issues, but added there are no easy fixes.